Kove MX 450

yamathumb
Posts
203
Joined
3/11/2025
Location
Redding, CA, USA
7/9/2026 7:24pm

Big Honda knock off

Not worth real bike money for China bike quality 

RACING wrote:

What does it have in common with a Honda?

🤔

 

Have you not looked at the motor?..

2
7/9/2026 7:25pm
JMCR250 wrote:
Even assuming the quality were the same as Japanese bikes, which I very highly doubt, I prefer to make purchases (especially larger dollar examples like this)...

Even assuming the quality were the same as Japanese bikes, which I very highly doubt, I prefer to make purchases (especially larger dollar examples like this) from a democratic nation that does not threaten and harass its neighbors and lock up its citizens in what are essentially re-education camps.

(And yes, I'm aware the US government removed Japanese Americans from their homes on the west coast after Pearl Harbor.  It was wrong then, and I believe now almost universally accepted as a grievous mistake on the part of our government, made during the hysteria following the attack on Hawaii).

Fucking bullshit, what a Tosser!

1
11
OldTech
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Location
Decatur, AL, USA
7/9/2026 7:57pm

Big Honda knock off

Not worth real bike money for China bike quality 

RACING wrote:

What does it have in common with a Honda?

🤔

 

yamathumb wrote:

Have you not looked at the motor?..

The valve cover might look like a unicam, but it does not look like a Honda.

4
FroDiddy
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USA
7/9/2026 8:28pm
visser62 wrote:

Hilarious to see the cope any time something good happens in China. Keep resisting it all you want.

BYD and Avatr are legit.  China is going for it.

5

The Shop

Spurdo
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FI
7/9/2026 9:12pm

Peter Egan (Cycle World, Road And Track magazines) called the earliest Honda motorcycles BSA clones. Do with that what you'd like. 

5
RACING
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Waddafeuque, FR
7/10/2026 2:27am
RACING wrote:

What does it have in common with a Honda?

🤔

 

yamathumb wrote:

Have you not looked at the motor?..

OldTech wrote:

The valve cover might look like a unicam, but it does not look like a Honda.

And lots of people in here told me a Triumph engine had nothing in common with a KTM. 

😄

 

1
1
RACING
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7/10/2026 2:30am
visser62 wrote:

Hilarious to see the cope any time something good happens in China. Keep resisting it all you want.

FroDiddy wrote:

BYD and Avatr are legit.  China is going for it.

Ten years back, everyone was laughing at chinese cars. 

No one laughs at BYD, these days.

 

4
1
Zacka 161
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Location
Mount Waverley, VIC, AU
7/10/2026 2:48am
visser62 wrote:

Hilarious to see the cope any time something good happens in China. Keep resisting it all you want.

FroDiddy wrote:

BYD and Avatr are legit.  China is going for it.

RACING wrote:

Ten years back, everyone was laughing at chinese cars. 

No one laughs at BYD, these days.

 

Exactly. And Apple and Tesla build, for all intents and purposes, exactly the same cars in China as they do in any other country… 


In fact, I can’t find the actual source, but the Australian supply of Tesla’s has always had quality control issues untill we started getting Chinese made Teslas. 

Here’s the anecdotal source for that https://www.facebook.com/groups/teslaownersaustralia/posts/1153083723480368/

3
Rad76
Posts
408
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7/17/2020
Location
Elk Grove Village, IL, USA
7/10/2026 2:55am

I rode this bike. Engine is not on par with current 450's but still enough for 95% of the riders. Chassis was OK except the rear shock, really not good. The bike handles pretty well dans feels light. Not so bad for a first version. OK bike for beginners, but i'd still buy a used Austrian or Japanese bike before this one for the same price. And those shrouds are ugly. 

7
7/10/2026 3:21am

We've had a flood of Chinese EV's coming into the UK over the last few years and everyone was raving about the price, performance etc, and they've been selling well. The bloody things are everywhere in a small amount of time.

But after 3 years, a new car has to start having a yearly MOT (all round check to make sure the car has no safety issues), and the 3 years and older chinese EV's are getting flagged for already having chassis issues; rust, rot etc. Their technology might be up to par, but they still sneak in some pig-iron or recycled mixed metal into things they build. They can't build bikes or cars for their current selling prices without cutting corners somewhere.

5
30minmotos
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Rising Sun, MD, USA
7/10/2026 3:57am

Problem for me is the risk you take for the price. 

Msrp to msrp it’s cheaper yes, but there are rebates on the main brands where if you’re patient you can generally always find a deal.


For example just for my factory edition husky for 9k you can’t convince me an unknown kove for 8k is a better deal than a factory edition husky for 9k


Or a left over kawi or Honda 450 are 7500 right now as well, rmzs 7500


I think they have to get their 250s to 5700 range and the 450 to 6700 range and then maybe it becomes tempting, but as it is now I think a discounted main brand or a used one with 3 hours on it, is just a better deal.


 

3
1
ATKpilot99
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Lake Geneva, WI, USA
7/10/2026 4:46am
Thats the point, this aint Japanese bike quality but their asking Japanese bike money.I dont care either way who they copy, just pointing out its not...

Thats the point, this aint Japanese bike quality but their asking Japanese bike money.

I dont care either way who they copy, just pointing out its not some revolutionary machine. 

I deal with Cheap Chinese crap every day when they try and pass it off as OEM Honda parts on ebay and I have to explain to the customer why that carburetor we quoted $400 for/ we cant purchase anymore from Honda isnt selling for $100 on the internet. 

 

So you've examined one of these bikes up close ? Maybe rode one ? 

1
bodycast
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Monroe, NC, USA
7/10/2026 4:48am

I remember a few years back, in a shootout there were 5 manufacturers.  Now there are double that.  Thats good.

5
OldTech
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Decatur, AL, USA
7/10/2026 5:11am
Spurdo wrote:

Peter Egan (Cycle World, Road And Track magazines) called the earliest Honda motorcycles BSA clones. Do with that what you'd like. 

I can kinda see that with the early parallel twins like the Dream.

1
1
LoudLove
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USA
7/10/2026 5:29am

We should welcome new entrants to our industry. Nascent manufacturers like Kove and CFMoto are taking tremendous strides towards improved QA. The MSRP delta creates a broader market with younger riders not dissuaded by products of Chinese origin.  

4
1
7/10/2026 7:14am Edited Date/Time 7/10/2026 7:29am
Spurdo wrote:

Peter Egan (Cycle World, Road And Track magazines) called the earliest Honda motorcycles BSA clones. Do with that what you'd like. 

OldTech wrote:

I can kinda see that with the early parallel twins like the Dream.

I can't. They had very little in common other than being parallel twins.

The Dream and Superhawk were overhead cam and had electric start. With a 180 degree crank, they redlined at about 9000 rpm. BSA twins were still a pushrod 360 degree kickstart engine and maybe could do 5500 rpm. The Honda may have been publicly perceived as knockoffs, but they were much more advanced than any BSA from day 1.

5
NickoBrap
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Somewhere, MI, USA
7/10/2026 8:20am Edited Date/Time 7/10/2026 8:21am

I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not just because they abuse their workers. If you have ever worked in the auto industry in the US it's not hard to understand why and how this is happening. People at every level do not take their jobs seriously and do the bare minimum. I'm not even fully innocent of this, but I don't work in that industry anymore. 

American work ethic is not what it used to be, and it's not just the younger generations. Plenty of grey hairs taking naps on the job. On the factory floor. In the open. Been that way for years.

10
1
SEEMEFIRST
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Arlington, TX, USA
7/10/2026 8:23am
NickoBrap wrote:
I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not...

I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not just because they abuse their workers. If you have ever worked in the auto industry in the US it's not hard to understand why and how this is happening. People at every level do not take their jobs seriously and do the bare minimum. I'm not even fully innocent of this, but I don't work in that industry anymore. 

American work ethic is not what it used to be, and it's not just the younger generations. Plenty of grey hairs taking naps on the job. On the factory floor. In the open. Been that way for years.

^^^ He's not wrong. ^^^

6
seth505
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SD, CA, USA
7/10/2026 8:25am
NickoBrap wrote:
I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not...

I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not just because they abuse their workers. If you have ever worked in the auto industry in the US it's not hard to understand why and how this is happening. People at every level do not take their jobs seriously and do the bare minimum. I'm not even fully innocent of this, but I don't work in that industry anymore. 

American work ethic is not what it used to be, and it's not just the younger generations. Plenty of grey hairs taking naps on the job. On the factory floor. In the open. Been that way for years.

^yuuup^

3
alphado
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4089
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Location
Erie, PA, USA
7/10/2026 8:28am

A lot to do with the employers too.  I have been at my job for 11 years.  I am close to 2 months late for my annual review.  I get my bonus at this time as well.  This happens every year, they don't think it is a big deal.

5
30minmotos
Posts
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Location
Rising Sun, MD, USA
7/10/2026 8:28am
NickoBrap wrote:
I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not...

I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not just because they abuse their workers. If you have ever worked in the auto industry in the US it's not hard to understand why and how this is happening. People at every level do not take their jobs seriously and do the bare minimum. I'm not even fully innocent of this, but I don't work in that industry anymore. 

American work ethic is not what it used to be, and it's not just the younger generations. Plenty of grey hairs taking naps on the job. On the factory floor. In the open. Been that way for years.

The things I see in a similar industry are insane. And then the leaders they bring in have zero idea on how any of it actually works they are even worse than some of the mechanics napping on the factory floor.


Atleast when awake they know the job, the leaders are hired for every reason besides the job at hand all too often and have no idea.


It’s a mess.

3
1
NickoBrap
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184
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Location
Somewhere, MI, USA
7/10/2026 8:37am
alphado wrote:
A lot to do with the employers too.  I have been at my job for 11 years.  I am close to 2 months late for my...

A lot to do with the employers too.  I have been at my job for 11 years.  I am close to 2 months late for my annual review.  I get my bonus at this time as well.  This happens every year, they don't think it is a big deal.

Yeah the leadership in these companies is absolutely no better. The guy napping on the floor is just a symbol of American industry as a whole from top to bottom. Middle management and upper management are just better at faking it.

4
1
NickoBrap
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Somewhere, MI, USA
7/10/2026 8:39am Edited Date/Time 7/10/2026 8:40am

I don't have enough insight into Japanese manufacturing companies to know why they can't keep up. Probably a factor of raw materials pricing, their obsession with the act of manufacturing itself, and slow moving & reluctant nature. This is mostly concerning cars. You get what you pay for with Japanese bikes and the price gap doesn't justify a Chinese bike. 

1
SEEMEFIRST
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Location
Arlington, TX, USA
7/10/2026 8:45am

I find that upper management feel that they know best, in any situation. 

We're about to install a new filling line. Since this was proposed 18-24 months ago, we've had exactly zero meetings with anyone making decisions. Our team probably has over 150 years of experience doing this stuff and none of us have been asked a single question. I know it sounds crazy, but maybe, just maybe one of us has a good idea since we actually work on the stuff.

7
kawasa84
Posts
1789
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Location
Flower Mound, TX, USA
7/10/2026 9:05am
Brent wrote:
...so when your Chinese gearbox locks up solid over the big jump and you lawn dart like Chase Sexton at Colorado, will the 2 grand less...

...so when your Chinese gearbox locks up solid over the big jump and you lawn dart like Chase Sexton at Colorado, will the 2 grand less you spent on this thing be worth it?

I'd buy a used Honda or KTM before I would trust this thing.   Good luck finding parts easily too.

Support your established Japanese and Austrian dirt bike dealers instead of a country that copies existing technology and sell it with lower quality materials.

 Fuck China.

Not to mention Austria and Japan don't have missile silo's and nuclear subs pointed at the U.S. 

I'm literally shocked at how many people into moto would support buying a chinese mx bike when their government spends military money with the intended purpose to kill us!!!

8
5
yardsailor
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699
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Location
Rochester, MN, USA
7/10/2026 10:04am
kawasa84 wrote:
Not to mention Austria and Japan don't have missile silo's and nuclear subs pointed at the U.S. I'm literally shocked at how many people into moto would...

Not to mention Austria and Japan don't have missile silo's and nuclear subs pointed at the U.S. 

I'm literally shocked at how many people into moto would support buying a chinese mx bike when their government spends military money with the intended purpose to kill us!!!

Well, of they start promoting the Kove MX on tic tok and we all start buying the bikes, that will be proof that tik tok does manipulate our brains. 🤯🤯🤯🤷🏿‍♂️😃

1
2
7/10/2026 10:48am
NickoBrap wrote:
I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not...

I'm not gonna glaze china here, but they are starting to get high quality manufacturing dialed. We are in trouble in the USA and it's not just because they abuse their workers. If you have ever worked in the auto industry in the US it's not hard to understand why and how this is happening. People at every level do not take their jobs seriously and do the bare minimum. I'm not even fully innocent of this, but I don't work in that industry anymore. 

American work ethic is not what it used to be, and it's not just the younger generations. Plenty of grey hairs taking naps on the job. On the factory floor. In the open. Been that way for years.

SEEMEFIRST wrote:

^^^ He's not wrong. ^^^

Not just the USA!

3
7/10/2026 12:14pm
Brent wrote:
...so when your Chinese gearbox locks up solid over the big jump and you lawn dart like Chase Sexton at Colorado, will the 2 grand less...

...so when your Chinese gearbox locks up solid over the big jump and you lawn dart like Chase Sexton at Colorado, will the 2 grand less you spent on this thing be worth it?

I'd buy a used Honda or KTM before I would trust this thing.   Good luck finding parts easily too.

Support your established Japanese and Austrian dirt bike dealers instead of a country that copies existing technology and sell it with lower quality materials.

 Fuck China.

Which is exactly what the Japanese did in the 60s and 70s

1
Dave v3.0
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693
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Ozark, AL, USA
7/10/2026 12:17pm

Big Honda knock off

Not worth real bike money for China bike quality 

All mx bikes are a knock off each other.

There are different grades of Chinese a quality.

Everyone made that statement when the Japenese bikes first arrived.

The Japanese weren't trying to undermine the American economy back then and Dr. Deming, an American, fixed their quality issues.  So much so that their highest award for quality is named after him. The Chinese wouldn't know Kaizen if it hit them in the face.

4
Timo
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Wichita, KS, USA
7/10/2026 12:29pm

They look good in person and I've heard good things about riding them. I would expect that if they're made in China though, they'd be ~$5,000- $6,000. 

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